Getting Paid …
- June 19th, 2007
- Posted by EUEditor
Figures on minimum wages demonstrate the current uneveness and diversity of chances in the European Union, confronting the drive to harmonise and develop previously lagging sectors in the single market.
Twenty member countries including all of the larger ones except Italy have a statutory minimum wage, and according to statistics this week from the European Commission the required minimum varies from €92 per month (A$146.50; DDcerates.com, 18.6.07) in Bulgaria to €1570 p.m. (A$ 2501) in Luxembourg.
The Eastern European states which joined in 2004 have made former “poorer countries” of the EU a new middle-level group.
Three groups identified in the survey of wage limits:
(1) Bulgaria, Romania, Latvia, Lithuania, Slovakia, Estonia, Poland, Hungary and the Czech Republic, (plus Turkey as a candidate member); limits set at €92 to 298 (A$474.70) p.m.
(2) Portugal , Slovenia, Malta, Spain and Greece, €470-680 (A$748.80 – 1964)
(3) France, Belgium, the Netherlands, United Kingdom, Ireland and Luxembourg, €1250 – 1570 (A$1991.50 – 2501).
The differences are strongly reduced when expressed as buying power within the countries where they apply.
Reference: Regnard P., Statistics in Focus: Population and Social Conditions – Minimum Wages 2007, Variations from 92 – 1570 euro gross per month, 71/2007, Brussels, Eurostat